AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2023-00555	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 08 May 2017 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a “Under Other Than Honorable Conditions” (UOTHC) after “Misconduct (Serious Offense).”  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility (RE) code.

The applicant was not represented by counsel.    

The applicant requested the board be completed based on a records only review.  The Board was conducted on 02 March 2023

The attached examiner’s brief (provided to applicant only), extracted from available service records, contains pertinent data regarding the circumstances and character of the applicant’s military service. 

DISCUSSION:  The Air Force Discharge Review Board (AFDRB), under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the narrative reason for discharge if such changes are warranted.  If applicable, the board can also change the applicant’s reenlistment eligibility code.  In reviewing discharges, the board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the applicant.  The Board completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the discharge and the discharge process to determine if the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.  

The applicant requested a characterization upgraded to either “General” or “Honorable” conditions.  The applicant stated that he was arrested and incarcerated for a civilian conviction.  He stated it was personal conduct, which resulted in him being administratively separated from the Air Force.  He stated that he did not sit before a disciplinary board and did sign a waiver of his right to be reviewed.  For this reason, he requested a change to his characterization.  The applicant stated that he did not hold his personal life to the same standard and made poor decisions that went against the values of the Air Force. 

The AFDRB concluded upon review of the applicant’s service record that documentation regarding the discharge is missing.  Since the board relies on the presumption of regularity, it concluded the discharge received by the applicant was appropriate.  

FINDING:  The Board voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to “Honorable,” to change the discharge narrative reason to “Secretarial Authority,” and to change the RE code.
 
If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate his contentions, the Board recommends he exercise the right to make a personal appearance before the DRB or appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records

CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the applicant’s issues, summary of service, service/medical record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable. Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain “UOTHC,” the narrative reason for separation shall remain “Misconduct (Serious Offense),” and the reentry code shall remain “2B.”  The Air Force DRB (AFDRB) results were approved by the board president on 08 March 2023.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to:  

Air Force Review Board Agency
Attn:  Discharge Review Board
3351 Celmers Lane
Joint Base Andrews, NAF Washington, MD 20762-6602  

Instructions on how to appeal an AFDRB decision can be found at 
https://afrbaportal.azurewebsites.us

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief (Applicant Only)